MEISSEN, GERMANY

Meissen is located in Saxony, about 25 km from its capital Dresden. The over 1000-year-old, very picturesque city is located in the Elbe Valley and considered the "Cradle of Saxony".

In 929, the first German king, Henry I, built a castle on a cliff high above the valleys of the Elbe. It was expanded piece by piece and received its present form through extensive construction work in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Albrechtsburg Meissen is the first palace in the German-speaking area and together with the cathedral characterizes the cityscape at its strongest. The Meissen Cathedral (13th - 15th century) is a magnificent example of highly Gothic architecture and is one of the most stylish Gothic cathedrals in Germany.​The enchanting historic old town is a jewel with an impressive market square, quaint, winding, cobbled streets with art shops, wine cellars, passages, courtyards and invites you to stroll and linger. Meissen has become world famous for its porcelain manufacturer, which is the first porcelain manufacturer in Europe. Since its founding in 1710, it has stood for exceptional craftsmanship and unique exclusive products.

Meissen is known as a wine city. Wine has been grown here for at least 850 years. Away from the the bustle of the city, you can enjoy the historic and present-day wine-growing landscape along the Elbe. There are numerous wine bars, restaurants and wine makers who invite you to a glass of wine in a cozy atmosphere. The city is also home to Saxony's oldest private brewery - Meissner Schwerter.Numerous galleries, museums, concerts and festivals make the city a magnet for culture lovers.

The close location to Dresden (S-Bahn connection) and the convenient access to the A4, A14 and A13 motorways as well as Dresden Airport (22 km) offer favorable conditions for interesting excursions.